2017 May

10
May

My desire to deepen my understanding of the power of the landforms brought me to Taiwan last month to continue my Feng Shui studies with my teacher Joey Yap, and esteemed colleagues from around the world. This particular Feng Shui excursion had a unique focus because we concentrated on the Feng Shui of spiritual locations, of which there are many, in the environs of Taipei, Taiwan. We were chasing Dragons, another name for mountain ranges, to find and experience Meridian Spots and to examine the unique energy of these spiritual places.

The Yin He Cave Temple and Soul Water pouring down from a sacred waterfall

You see, Feng Shui is not so much about interiors and placement as it is about the Earth and the connection of our dwellings and ourselves to it. Each place on Earth has a unique quality and energy. Feng Shui is really about understanding the energy of a particular location in order to align ourselves with it, to reap the benefits that it can bring to our lives.

Over thousands of years, great masters have collected and handed down their accumulated wisdom in classic texts which contain the principles and formulas that allow us to learn to read and qualify the energy available to us in the landscape. Feng Shui masters of today spend many hours training and studying these classic texts, but there is only so much one can learn in the classroom.

To really understand Feng Shui, it must be experienced first hand by feeling the energy of a location in both body and soul out in the mountains or ‘Dragons’ themselves. There is no substitute for this type of hands on learning.

It was a particularly powerful experience not only because each location was a textbook landform example come to life, but also because most of these sites were also located on an actual Meridian Spot. A true Meridian Spot is a rare and potent concentration of powerful Qi that can only be produced under exceptional and very specific land formation circumstances. These formations are the highest ideal in terms of Feng Shui landforms.

Another view of the Double Headed Tan Lang Star which gives this pagoda temple its spiritual power.

In most locations we were able to experience the awesome power of a true Meridian Spot for ourselves either by sitting or meditating there to absorb the power of this Qi into our bodies. The simultaneous power, peace and perfect stillness of a Meridian Spot is simply sublime.

Now I know why these spiritual locations are so potent and why ancient sages went up to the mountains to meditate and pray. It is because when one is on an actual Meridian Spot, one can reach a point of stillness and peace almost instantly and receive a much faster connection to source. It’s the difference between dial up and high speed internet – truly remarkable!

The Table Mountain viewed from the top of the North Dipper Palace, a stunningly beautiful place

Another interesting aspect of these temple locations was that most were dedicated to specific intentions and concerns. Some temples focus on wealth and abundance, some wisdom and knowledge, and some health. The locations of these temples were not only powered by the immense Qi of a Meridian Spot, but also imbued with specific energy provided by the unique land formations surrounding the ‘Spot’. The specific type of Qi, dictated by the surrounding landforms,determined the spiritual focus and intention of each temple.

For example, the temple that was devoted to both physical and emotional healing was supported by a Wu Lou Gourd shaped land formation, and the temple devoted to wealth and prosperity was surrounded by ‘Sunken Head Huge Door’ land formations which are for Heavenly Wealth – wealth greater than an emperor’s.

Huge Door land formation visible framed by a tree which was visible from the Meridian Spot at the Red Cauldron Palace : Shrine of the God of Soil and Earth

The highlight of the trip was certainly our last location, the Yin He Cave, a cave temple high up in the mountain where one must enter into the mountain itself to tap the Qi of the meridian spot there. It was a rare land formation that one does not encounter often. We climbed many, many stairs to reach two small cave rooms, and walked behind a magical waterfall of Soul Water, to reach the alter. The energy of that location was very moving, I could feel my heart open and we all felt the buzz of the energy throughout our bodies.

The experience was powerful for me not only in terms of honing my skills and knowledge of Feng Shui but also for me personally and spiritually. It has changed the way I look at the world both literally and figuratively, and I look forward to sharing this deeper understanding with my clients and incorporating it into future Feng Shui projects!

Soul Water flowing from a sacred waterfall a the Yin He Cave Temple, and view of the surrounding dragons.

03
May

Friday, May 5, marks the start of the Wood Snake month, and the beginning of the summer season. The Wood Snake brings the fire season and wood to fuel this fire. The energy of this month combined with the energy of the year means that fire will be quite strong this summer.

So what does Fire bring besides heat? Well first of all fire is joy, optimism, hope, exuberance, desire, and passion, which are all generally good things. Fire means that people will generally feel good, consumer confidence will be up, people will likely spend money on entertainment and eating out. This is the energy that creates summer romances and summer blockbuster movies.

However, fire is also rage, anger, and hot tempers. The volatile clash between fire and metal this year will be accentuated by this season which could bring violence and greater threats of military action this summer; simmering tensions may boil over.

Without the water of communication and diplomacy, cooler heads may not be able to prevail to keep tensions under control. However, since the Snake and Rooster are part of a 3 harmony combination, there is a chance that back channel connections could intervene to keep a lid on things for the month. This applies to both the world stage as well as issues closer to home. If tensions seem to be getting out of control in your life, seek the help of a trusted ally to keep things from going off the rails this month.

The hexagram for this month is #5 Waiting. The imagery of this hexagram is Water over Heaven, essentially Heavy Cloud, No Rain. This hexagram describes a time when accumulated effort and preparation are still in the process of ripening and not yet ready to bear fruit. It is easy during this time to feel discouraged and wonder if and when the payoff for all of your efforts will come. It is easy during this time to be worried or discouraged, but you should not confuse a not yet with a no. Maintain a positive and upbeat attitude during this time of testing and waiting. If you keep working and stay focused on your goal, success and good fortune will come to you in the fullness of time.

Important Dates:Wood Snake Month May 5 – June 4

IMPORTANT DATES:

Pig People: This is your clash month so use caution in general especially on Snake days which are May 6, 18 & 30 as the clash energy is doubled up on these days.

INAUSPICIOUS DATES:
These are the days that are generally inauspicious for everyone, days to use caution on, and unsuitable for important events or activities.

Month Breaker: These days, which are also Destruction days, are days with unstable energy, days when things just don’t go right or tend to fall apart – hence destruction. Caution is urged especially for Snake people as these are also your personal clash days and they are May 12 & 24.

Year Breaker: Though not generally as volatile as Month breaker days, these are still days to take it easy and to be vigilant, especially Rooster people since these are your personal clash days and they May 16 & 28.

AUSPICIOUS DATES:
These are the days that are generally lucky for everyone, except those who clash with it. These are great days to plan important events or activities.

Success Days: May 14 & 26 – Success days generally bring good outcomes for all endeavors except for legal activity. Since Success days are Ox days this month, Ox, Snake, Rooster, and Rat people will see the most benefit from these days. (Clash to Goat people).

Initiate Days: May 11, 23 and June 4 (still Snake month) – Fire is all about passion and excitement and you can channel the fire of this season into new ventures and plans. For those looking to begin a new health or exercise regimen, Initiate Days are the perfect days to get started! Dog, Tiger, Horse and Rabbit people especially will benefit from the energy of these days (Clash to Dragon people).

Remove Days: May 7, 19 & 31, three opportunities this month! For those of you still working on spring cleaning and de-cluttering, these are great days to clean out the closets and donate your unwanted items. For those more concerned about shedding a few pounds before putting on a swim suit, Remove days are the perfect day to start a new diet because they will support you in shedding those unwanted pounds! Horse, Tiger, Dog and Goat people will benefit the most from these days (Clash to Rat people).

*If you have an important event like a wedding or business launch to plan it is best to have a personalized date selection analysis to ensure the best outcome.
*Don’t know what animals are in your chart or how they may affect you? Contact me for a personalized astrological chart reading!

FENG SHUI:
This month also brings new monthly energy to each of the 9 sectors of your home and office and here are the highlights.

South: The #9 which is a fire star, is visiting the South palace this month, which only gives more power to the negative #5 Yellow star that is here for the year making it more volatile. It is best to keep this area of the home as quiet as possible all year, and especially this month. Remember, no renovations or construction here. Try to spend as much time in other areas of your home as possible this month.

Southeast: While this sector is already the luckiest sector this year, this month, the visiting #4 star forms a harmony connection to the #9 star which is here all year. The #4 star is both an academic and peach blossom or romance star and with the harmony connection here as well, this is the sector to activate if you are looking to make connections with others – especially the romantic kind! The best way to activate this energy is to spend as much time here as possible, even better if your bed or main door are located in this sector.

North: The North is a lucky sector all year and even better this month as the auspicious #1 star visits this month making a harmony connection to the #6 star which is here for the year. If you want to boost your career and make the right connections to get ahead, this is the area to spend more time in. It is also a great sector for those who want to support career related travel.